Saturday & Sunday, July 13 & 14: 
Big Island Hawaiian Music Festival.  Enjoy authentic Hawaiian music, including ukulele, slack key and steel guitar, and falsetto singing at this always popular event featuring artists from around Hawaii. Afook Chinen Hilo Civic Auditorium, 799 Pi`ilani Street, Hilo, noon to 6 p.m. each day. For information and schedule call (808) 961-5711 or visit www.ehcc.org.

Saturdays, Throughout the Month of July: 
Obon Dance & Festival.  The Obon tradition was brought to Hawaii by Japanese immigrants and evolved into a social and cultural event, as well as a religious custom designed to honor ancestors through an evening of dance, music and merry-making.  Festivities and Dance schedules and locations are listed below:

• Friday & Saturday, July 5 & 6: Puna Hongwanji Mission, Old Volcano Rd., Kea`au-Mountain View. Service 6 p.m., Dance following Service. For information call (808) 966-9981.

• Saturday, July 6: Kohala Hongwanji, 53-4300 Akoni Pule Hwy, Kapa`au, Service 6:30 p.m., Dance 7 p.m.  For information call (808)775-7532.

• Friday & Saturday, July 12 & 13: Hilo Meisho-in Mission, 97 Olona St., Hilo Fri. 7:30 p.m., Sat. 8 p.m.  For information call (808) 935-6996.

• Saturday, July 13: Kohala Jodo Mission, Kapa`au. Service 6 p.m., Dance 7 p.m. For information call (808) 889-5456.

• Saturday, July 13: Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission, 79-7241 Mamalahoa Hwy., Kealakekua, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. For information call (808) 322-3524.

• Saturday July 13:  Pa`auilo Hongwanji, Pa`auilo.  Service 6 p.m., Dance 7 p.m.  For information call (808) 775-7232.

• Saturday & Sunday, July 19 & 20:  Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, 398 Kilauea Ave., Hilo.  Service 7 p.m., Dance 8 p.m. For information call (808) 961-6677.

• Saturday, July 20: Ke`ei Hongwanji (Kona Hongwanji), 81-6630 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kealakekua, Service 6 p.m., Dance 7 p.m. For information call (808) 323-2993.

• Saturday, July 20: Honoka`a Hongwanji, 45-5016 Plumeria St., Honoka`a.  Service 6 p.m., Dance 7 p.m.  For information call (808) 775-7232.

• July 27 (Sat.): Hilo Hongwanji Mission, 457 Manono St., Hilo.  Service 6 p.m., Dance 7:30 p.m. For information call (808) 935-8331.

• July 27 (Sat.): Kona Hongwanji, 81-6630 Mamalahoa Hwy, Kealakekua.  Lantern Parade 6:30 p.m., Dance 7 p.m. For information call (808) 323-2993.

• July 27 (Sat.): Papa`aloa Hongwanji, 35-2026 Old Mamalahoa Hwy, Papa`aloa.  Service 5 p.m., Dance 6 p.m. For information call (808) 962-6340.

Thursday, July 4: 
Parker Ranch July 4^th Races and Rodeo:  Celebrate July 4th at the Parker Ranch Horse Races and Rodeo, an annual event at Hawaii’s oldest and largest ranch. Cowboys (and cowgirls) from Hawaii Island ranches take part in the races and in the rodeo events. See the “traditional” rodeo events, plus those only in Hawaii.  The Parker Ranch Rodeo Arena is between the Waimea-Kohala Airport and Waimea town.  Plenty of parking available. Allow an hour if driving from Kona or Hilo.  9 a.m. until noon. Tickets in advance at the Parker Ranch Store ($5) or at the gate ($6) with children 10 and under free.  For information call (808) 885-7311or visit www.parkerranch.com.

Thursday, July 4: 
County Band Concert in Hilo.  The 40-member strong Hawaii County Band is an Island musical treasure. The band plays a tapestry of seasonal works, Hawaiian pieces, overtures, movie themes and more. Held at Mo`oheau Park Bandstand in downtown Hilo at 7 p.m., preceding the fireworks over Hilo Bay.  Bring blankets or chairs to sit on. And remember, Hilo town can be rainy! Free.  For information call (808) 961-8699.

Every Wednesday: 
Hawai`iana Live.  A 45-minute cultural tourism program hosted by Leilehua Yuen. It features live on stage presentations that share the history and traditions of the Hawaiian culture through storytelling, film, music, oli and hula. Topics and films change weekly as the program revolves around the Hawaiian lunar calendar, and surprise guests and musicians often appear. Also featured is Rick Mazurowski at the newly restored Palace pipe organ.  Palace Theater, 38 Haili Street, Hilo.  11 a.m. Admission is $5, Keiki 12 & under, free. Be sure to visit their website for other weekly events at the Theater.  For information call (808) 934-7010 or visit www.hilopalace.com.

Every Tuesday
features the new Emily T Gail Show.  Emily’s show can be found online at www.espnhawaii.com under “Lineup” on the homepage.  Sponsored by Aloha – Big Island Visitor Guide, Emily “talks story” with recreational, high school and professional athletes, along with coaches, parents, organizers, and members of print and broadcast media. She talks about golf, running, swimming, biking, tennis, paddling, diving, skateboarding, as well as major league sports, high school sports, and college sports. For information, call Emily at (808) 896-6780, visit www.emilys.org, or email Emily at emilytgail@emilys.org.

Every Friday: 
Aloha Fridays at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.  A free hands-on demonstration lesson is given in a cultural craft that will vary from week to week. Held at VAC Gallery porch in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.  All events are free (donations welcome); park entrance fees apply. For information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Friday, June 21:  Hula Arts at Kilauea – Sunset Hula.  Featuring Halau Kahula `O Nawahine Noho Pu`ukapu under the direction of kumu hula Ana Nawahine Kaho`opi`i. This inspired outdoor presentation takes place rain or shine at the hula platform located near VAC Gallery in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.  The audience is encouraged to bring sitting mat and sun/rain gear.  6:00 p.m.  All events are free (donations welcome); park entrance fees apply. For more information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanohula.com.

Saturday, June 15: 
King Kamehameha Day Parade in Kona.  Featuring more than 90 horses, as well as floats, marching bands, hula halau and the regal pa`u riders on horseback.  The parade begins near Royal Kona Resort on Ali`i Drive at 9 a.m. and ends near West Hawaii Today at the corner of Kuakini Highway and Kaiwi Streets at noon.  For information call (808) 322-9944 or visit www.konaparade.org.

Saturday, June 15: 
Hula Arts at Kilauea.  This VAC program features a Hula Kahiko Informance with kumu Leilehua Yuen and Manu Josiah, and is a 50-minute narrated demonstration of preparation, protocol and offering of traditional hula and chant. This inspired outdoor presentation takes place rain or shine at the hula platform located near VAC Gallery in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. The audience is encouraged to bring sitting mat and sun/rain gear. On the same day, there is a hands-on cultural demonstration from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at VAC Gallery porch. For information call (808) 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.